Emile Heskey, at the age of 37, is all set to pen a 12-month contract extension at Bolton Wanderers and is now looking to take his first steps into the competitive world of coaching.

The former England international hopes to make use of the facilities available at Bolton to get himself on track with his coaching career and to perhaps pursue a management role when he decides to hang up the boots.

While in discussions over a new deal, the Trotters expressed that they were more than willing to aide Heskey in his quest. The player also plans on starting the new FA-backed coaching scheme that's coming into action next year.

“You can do it in the afternoons, in training, and it’s good to do it while you’re actually playing because you have all the facilities.

"You don’t need to find 15 kids to put on a session – they’re already there for you.”

After a brief stint in Australia and returning the England last summer, a country he is now seen as a cult hero in, his former Leicester City team-mates Neil Lennon and Gary Parker had a huge influence on him turning up at Bolton and will prove to be real help for him moving forward.

Now, over the course of the next year, Heskey will closely monitor Lennon and Parker as he considers a career in the dugout – a move a number of footballers have attempted with little success.

“I’m here at Bolton to play but I might as well use the expertise and the people I’ve got around me,” he said.

Dale O’Donnell

Dale O’Donnell is a freelance journalist and founder of Manchester United blog Stretty News. He has previously conducted interviews with former footballers such as Gary Neville, Jason McAteer and Mikaël Silvestre. Dale’s work has been published on outlets such as the Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph, Sky Sports and more.